By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Ante Zizic returns to Europe as a member of Maccabi Tel Aviv, following the footsteps of his older brother Andrija Zizic.
After being selected with the 23rd pick of the 2016 NBA draft, Zizic spent three seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 23-years old center, however, decided to return to Europe and get a more prominent role with a perennial title contender.
In 113 NBA career games, Zizic averaged 6 points and 4,9 rebounds. During the 2018-19 season, he played in 59 games, started in 25 and averaged 7,8 points, and 5,4 rebounds.
Ante Zizic almost signed with Real Madrid earlier in the summer, but ultimately Maccabi managed to get him. The Israeli powerhouse was actively recruiting the player before the cancelation of the season due to COVID and succeded in getting him, despite Madrid’s push.
It goes without saying that Maccabi team manager Nikola Vujcic, a Croatian basketball icon and a Maccabi great, played an instrumental role in signing the player, as the following tweet by the club confirms.
— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) August 25, 2020
“I am proud and happy to join the Maccabi family, it is a family I know since I was 16 years old, and to wear the yellow jersey that my big brother wore”, Ante Zizic told the official site of Maccabi. “I want to thank the owners, Nikola and coach Giannis for believing in me. I can’t wait to meet the fans. See you soon in Tel Aviv”.
“Ante is a player with qualities that will give us a lot of power in the paint and I am very happy that we signed him”, coach Giannis Sfairopoulos said of Zizic. “He will help Maccabi with his skills and professionalism to succeed and meet our goals. I am very happy to coach him because I also coached his big brother Andrea at Olympiacos. I have no doubt that it will help us that he has previously collaborated with Scottie Wilbekin”.
“I’m glad he had a past at Maccabi, that he was already in Tel Aviv, trained here a bit and felt what this great club is”, added the Greek coach, who last season led the Yellows back to the Euroleague playoffs and winning the local championship. “It is important that now Maccabi has managed to sign him and attach him to the family. We will fight together for Maccabi’s goals”.